Much as the G3 still had life in it back September of 1999. The G4 is set to serve as the backbone of the imac, ibook, and emac for the next 3 years or so. If the G4 had reached its limits, how could they update the these machines. There is a forseeable limit, but Apple probably feels that it is within their planned development for the consumer line.

But the pro line needs something new just like the consumer line has, or will, see.

Just my $0.02. (Only as a write this am I starting to think the G5 will rear its head this year.)

As much as I would like the G5 to come out, there is much life left in the G4! Everybody says what a slow chip it is (compared to the current P4's). However, I really believe that if you add a 533mhz Bus, RDRAM + speed up the rest of the computer components to what they should be then we will have a system that will easily match the fastest PC!!!

Well I personally think the g5 will not be the next thing out. The apollo has a lot more speed in it so they can work on that. Some of my apple sources(2 outa3) are saying that ibm and another processor maker are planing to make a bid for mas production and r&d for a up-and-comming apple processor. One said it (processor) will use the copper technology derived from the g3 and altvec. This seems like credible news since apple has been recently fed up with motorolla's r&d on the g4 and g5 chips, so it seems the ibm is trying to capitolize on the problem. I would like to see apple use a faster processor either ibm or motorolla in a .13m building process by the end of the year. right now apple is using a .18m building process while pentium and amd are using .13m and are going to a .10m by the end of the year(it is hard to compare the two because apple runs a risc processor and i think intel runs a cisc processor.).

Why would apple want to max out the G4 for their pro machines if they are going to use it in the consumer machines? If they max it out then they really don't have anything for consumers to get excited about. After all they would know exactly what speeds are possible and would naturally want the best. I think it would be better for apple to leave something left in the G4 and upgrade the consumer line over time.

Originally posted by Macpoops Why would apple want to max out the G4 for their pro machines if they are going to use it in the consumer machines? If they max it out then they really don't have anything for consumers to get excited about. After all they would know exactly what speeds are possible and would naturally want the best. I think it would be better for apple to leave something left in the G4 and upgrade the consumer line over time.

Click to expand...

Now that's an interesting thought. Show the consumers that there is more life in the current iMacs and move the pro line to something else. Hmm, they did that before with the G3 systems before.

I'd really like to see it happen, we can but hope. I don't think they could roll out the Rack Servers with a new CPU without having other new machines as well, could they?

here are my predictions for the short term:
firstly, new iBooks (in the next week?)- 16MB video card, some new ports? a higher resolution?
secondly, G4 servers (May 14)- i have no idea of the specs of these.
thirdly, PowerMacs (MWNY)- well, the specs have already been posted on the Macrumors main page.

looks like the only thing that is really not comfirmed is the new iBooks and the G4 server specs.

I really hope Apple would not do the shakedown on a new processor in a SERVER.. that seems like a good way to shoot one's own foot off.. so the servers will use the same chips that we've already seen (though it might use more of them.. we can only hope) Although a speed bumped CPU is certainly a possibility, as Beej suggests. Definitely no G5 in a server. (Or anything else, is my guess)

As an aside:

Beej, the physics are wrong on your avatar... the smoke should come out of the cigarette when the end is dim, not bright.. the end lights up when you inhale.. ie, when the smoke is being drawn out the other end. The smoke only rises from the lit end when you aren't inhaling (and the end therefor is dim)

I reckon that the g5s might make an appearance soon, as everyone is talking about apple beginning to be outdated. So Apple must have something up there sleeve.
Maybe some updates on the i range. (maybe not ipod).

Originally posted by IndyGopher Beej, the physics are wrong on your avatar... the smoke should come out of the cigarette when the end is dim, not bright.. the end lights up when you inhale.. ie, when the smoke is being drawn out the other end. The smoke only rises from the lit end when you aren't inhaling (and the end therefor is dim)

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.